Culture

It’s a fair question to inquire what the University of Bremen has to do with culture. And on the surface the answer might appear to be not much.

But looking a bit closer the truth is – as it is too for international flair – culture has become a genuine trademark of the University of Bremen. The breadth on offer is impressive: the Music Forum with its main focus on choral music takes its place alongside the Literature Forum, and in the field of performing arts one can include the Theatre Workshop as well as education events for the lay public.

Ever since the founding of the University of Bremen in its present form (1982), the international nature of the programme of study has constituted a major strategic element. However, an ongoing internationalisation can only be successful if it takes place with a parallel process of observation and study not only of one’s own cultural and social background, and in full awareness of the prevailing cultural standards at possible future domains for employment outside of Germany (key word: intercultural competence).

As a result the University of Bremen has been developing its cultural image with the same singlemindedness with which it has driven its process of internationalising forward. So as to prepare students as well as possible for a future profession, integrated range of courses are essential. These increase their attractiveness and with that the vocational opportunities for male and female graduates when they reach the job market. The university offers a range of activities in the fields of performing arts, Culture as a Trademark and for students these create relevance to professional practice already during their undergraduate studies.

The various genres and topics form not only a broad spectrum but also communicate core competences of great value for everyday professional life. These include creativity with language (Writing workshop), polishing and perfecting rhetorical abilities, or the confident and convincing appearance in front of groups (Theatre Workshop).

Tolerance of the previously unknown, as well as openness to unconventional ways of thinking and formats can to a certain extent be included amongst the obligatory topics at a university which consciously stylises itself as international. Here programs for continuing education in the Fine Arts play a significant role. Those who study here learn also what touches on their own personality: their abilities in perceiving and empathising; skills in articulation combined with a willingness to discuss with a mind open to what is new and unfamiliar. They do so in order that they will be able to describe and understand what may be alien or even weird to them i.e. the works of contemporary artists.